Color image of north and east façades, of Faribault Woolen Mill Company, 2011.

North and east façades

North and east façades, of Faribault Woolen Mill Company, 2011. Photograph by Elizabeth A. Gales.

Color image of north and west façades of Faribault Woolen Mill with Cannon River in the foreground, 2011.

North and west façades

North and west façades of Faribault Woolen Mill with Cannon River in the foreground, 2011. Photograph by Elizabeth A. Gales.

The Merritt Family and the Mesabi Iron Range

The discovery of iron ore on the Mesabi Range can hardly be credited to one person. In 1890, however, it was the family of Lewis Merritt that found merchantable ore and opened the Mesabi to industry. Within three years, they owned several mines and had built a railroad leading to immense ore docks in Duluth. On the cusp of controlling a mining empire in northern Minnesota, they lost everything to business titan John D. Rockefeller.

Color image of pure wool blanket manufactured by Faribault Woolen Mill Company, 1992.

Faribault Woolen Mill blanket

Pure wool blanket manufactured by Faribault Woolen Mill Company, 1992.

Color image of Faribo brand wool blanket in its original box, woven by Faribault Woolen Mills, 1970.

Faribo brand blanket and box

Faribo brand wool blanket in its original box, woven by Faribault Woolen Mills, 1970.

Color image if Faribault Woolen Mill Company textile sample book, c.1935.

Cloth sales sample

Faribault Woolen Mill Company textile sample book, c.1935.

Black and white image of the Office of Faribault Woolen Mills, founder Carl H. Klemer standing to right of bicycle, 1897.

Office of Faribault Woolen Mills

Office of Faribault Woolen Mills, founder Carl H. Klemer standing to right of bicycle, 1897.

Color image of the north façade of the Faribault Woolen Mill Company, 2011.

North façade, view to south

North façade of Faribault Woolen Mills, 2011. Photograph by Elizabeth A. Gales.

Faribault Woolen Mill Company

The Faribault Woolen Mill Company has statewide significance as one of the largest and oldest fully integrated woolen mills in Minnesota. The mill started as a small family-owned business in the nineteenth century and grew to become the largest and longest-surviving woolen mill in the state.

Black and white photograph of the statue of Leonidas Merritt in front of the public library in the town of Mountain Iron, 1940.

Statue of Leonidas Merritt at Mountain Iron; Robert Crump, sculptor

Statue of Leonidas Merritt in front of the public library in the town of Mountain Iron, 1940. The inscription reads: "Leonidas Merritt, 1844–1926, Pioneer Prospector, Number One of the Seven Iron Men."

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